Alton Beideck

Alton A. Beideck, 97, of Saranac Lake, passed away on February 26, 2019, surrounded by his family, at Adirondack Medical Center. Alton was born June 27, 1921, to Adelbert and Gladys Colby Beideck in the Village of Corfu, N.Y. and graduated from Corfu High School’s class of 1939. He started working for the New York Central RR on June 1, 1941, as a brakeman, and qualified freight and passenger conductor. In Buffalo, N.Y., at the $26 million dollar electronic yard, he advanced to management, becoming a yardmaster and then general yardmaster. He retired as trainmaster in 1981 after 40 years of service.

Alton married Lucille Haskell in October 1942, and they were married 76 years. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in September 1943, attained the rank of sergeant, and proudly served in the 717th Railway Operating Battalion throughout England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and Austria. He returned home in May 1946 after two years of overseas duty.

Service to individuals and community was Alton’s passion. His membership at the Cathie-Wild VFW Post 9000 in Corfu was established in 1947, transferring to the Albert A. Gonyea VFW Post 3357 of Saranac Lake. For 25 years he volunteered for the Corfu Fire Department and, for ten years, served as a trustee for the Village of Corfu. Additionally, he served as a member of the Boy Scout Council and was a member of the Corfu Presbyterian Church, transferring to the Saranac Lake congregation in 1992.

Alton is survived by his wife Lucille, daughter Marian (Joe Potrzuski) of Saratoga Springs, son Alan (Ellen) of Saranac Lake, grandchildren Aaron (Maria), Jesse (Mary), Alissa (Robby), Alexander, and Elena, and great-grandchildren Quinn, Cassidy, and Hadley as well as several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service, which is open to the public, will be held at Saranac Village at Will Rogers on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 3:30 pm. Burial will be in Corfu, N.Y. Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. Family and friends can share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.